Thursday, April 9, 2009

53 Face Cloths

Things around the house have been pretty intense - actually I would say "on edge". Mike is doing OK, but the aid is giving us alot of problems. For whatever reason, she says we have all "changed" towards her, even Gizmo. She is paranoid and just this week, she really didn't answer any of my questions about Mike. Everytime I would ask her something, she would just shrug her shoulders, or say "I don't know". I'm sure you ask yourself, "why do you keep her?" It's because she's familiar with Mike and gets him to eat and drink. There are not many aids around that can take care of a patient like Mike. Most just want to come and "keep a patient company". In the course of these past 8 years - oh the stories I could tell. I have no idea what will happen, but I can tell you things have been terribly stressful - something I don't need anymore of. I pray everyday that this God loving woman (she walks around all day quoting verses from the bible) sees the undo stress she is causing and tones down her actions.

The kids are finished with their trimesters and are officially on vacation. They both did really well, once again. Courtney's overall average was 95.7 and Brandon's was 94.1. Brandon was REALLY upset with himself because his average went down .1% (last trimester it was 94.2). I can't believe how frustrated he was. I am so proud and happy for both of them. They amaze me.

I did Mike's wash last night and for my own entertainment, I play this game. Last night, among all his other clothes and wash, I folded and counted 53 face cloths. Imagine that!! This is what it all comes down to. Counting wash cloths - and so, another day ends.

About Me

My husband Mike was diagnosed at the age of 36 with Young Onset Alzheimer's Disease. For almost 11 years, my children & I took care of Mike at home - until he passed away on February 28, 2012 at the age of 47. When Mike was first diagnosed, he gave me "permission" to place him in a nursing home, but I chose not to do that. With the help of my children, family &aides, I kept the promise to myself that I would keep him home until the "end". I began this blog about 5 years ago to keep family and friends updated on Mike's condition as he weathered some difficult health issues and hospitalizations. During the process, it became a method for me to vent about issues that directly effected us as a family caring for someone with AD. Nothing along this journey has been easy & I will continue to advocate & be the voice for all those patients who have been silenced by Alzheimer's Disease. NO ONE SURVIVES ALZHEIMER'S, the disease does not discriminate and I will do all I can to make a difference. My faith has been my strength and we have been blessed with MANY angels along the way.
Mike will always be my hero!